In April 2014 one of the losers in the cabinet reshuffle of the New South Wales Government was long-serving National Party MP Don Page.

The grandson of former Prime Minister Sir Earle Page announced his retirement, saying he would not be standing for re-election in the seat of Ballina.

The seat had a short 10 year history from 1894, but since its recreation in 1988, the electorate has only ever known Don Page as its member.

His decision to retire has resulted in Ballina being identified as one of the key seats in the state election by the ABC's political analyst Antony Green.

After 27 years in politics, this fifth-generation politician leaves parliament, challenging his colleagues to think beyond party politics.

"A lot of it [party politics] is ideologically driven... my view is that ideology is there to serve mankind, mankind is not there to serve an ideology," Mr Page said.

"For example, right-wing ideology is all about reward for effort, individualism, making sure that those who work get the rewards and so on.... but what about those who can't work because they have a disability?

"So the ideology doesn't fit really with the compassionate need to support someone who can't fit the ideology."

Taking the opportunity to reflect on nearly three decades in politics, Mr Page said politicians during his grandfather's era were able to speak more freely.

"I think it's important that people in opposition don't always slag the government, they should say when they think it's right… similarly if you're in government and the opposition comes up with a good idea, you should say that 'that's a good idea' and the government is taking it on board," he said.

Mr Page said his final years in government have been some of the most challenging, especially dealing with the controversial issue of coal seam gas.

"It's one of the toughest issues that I've had to deal with because the issue itself is quite complex," he said.

"It's a lot easier for people to say look we just don't want it, I don't care if we don't have enough gas, we just actually don't want it full stop.

"If the government acts in the way a lot of people would like, the government will end up in court and it will end up paying hundreds of millions of dollars.

"If we can do it in a way that saves the tax payer money and the mining companies get the message through the various mechanisms we put in place that they're actually not welcome here, then I think we've had a win-win situation."

Mr Page's parting words for his fellow National Party members is to be cerebral, honest, to call it how it is and to never amalgamate with the Liberal Party.

"If we did amalgamate you'd have a Clive Palmer-type person, or a Pauline Hanson-type person who will emerge from the right to so call represent those people that the National Party has forsaken."